Scheme coaxing whistleblowers from under the covers
In a radical step forward in how whistleblowers are treated in Australia, one state is expanding support for public officials who report wrongdoing in a previously unimaginable area.
NSW has launched two Australian-first trials of free mental health support and legal aid for potential whistleblowers in the public sector.
The services operate on advice from the NSW Ombudsman and have been praised by transparency advocates.
“This is leading in Australia and we hope it will prevent damaging actions from impacting whistleblowers and make NSW a better place,” said Clancy Moore, CEO of Transparency International Australia.
Under NSW law, every public body is required to have a way for anyone concerned about possible abuse to make a report (known as a public interest disclosure).
The NSW Ombudsman also provides confidential advice on how to make a disclosure.
Deputy senior ombudsman Chris Clayton said the agency wanted “as much support as is reasonably possible to help public servants speak out” in what could be an “extremely stressful situation”.
The Ombudsman’s two pilot programs cover mental health and legal support.
A health referral program offering free access to psychologists started 12 months ago, and legal aid through the Human Rights Law Center also started in March.
“It does not fund representation in litigation or hearings, it is actually more initial legal advice to help the public official navigate the issue,” Mr. Clayton said.
Purchases are increasing.
The Ombudsman has supported 210 cases since 2024, while just over a dozen have used psychologist support and a similar number have received specialist legal support.
There will be more information about the plan as the situation for whistleblowers is assessed at a national symposium in Sydney on Monday.
Defense lawyer David McBride, Australia’s most notorious whistleblower, remains in a Canberra prison for his role in leaking documents to the ABC.
However, another whistleblower subject to the case, Richard Boyle, will also attend the meeting and share his experiences of legal battles with the Australian Taxation Office.
Mr. Boyle was legally pursued by the federal government for years after calling out the agency’s heavy-handed tactics, but he struck a deal in 2025 to avoid prison or conviction.
Whistleblowing laws in Australia are governed by many different laws for both the public and private sectors; Mr. Moore is among those calling for reform.
“The aim of the symposium is to bring together experts from the government, private sector and civil society,” he said.
“And importantly, to hear from whistleblowers and send a really clear message to the government about what needs to change to better protect people.”
